Disclaimer: Checks Nope, not mine.
A/N: Sorry it took so long, everyone. But school's about to start. And about my other story, you know, The Human Rubrics? Well... I'm workin' on it! Hang in there all, and keep up with the reviews! And remember, to see the dresses, just email me. Also, in response to a few reviews, I'm trying to do more 'Bones,' but it's tough, so bare with me! Also, if Cameron took a taxi from D.C. to Tysons, it would cost her about... $60. So... Well, I just prefer the subway. Also, I have no idea what Hilton they're staying at... I just assumed that there was a Hilton in D.C. blinks cough Well... go on and read. And please forgive me if the characters seem OC. I'm trying my best!
The speaker, as House had predicted, was extremely boring. But the ballroom was the exact opposite. The marble floor reflected the chandeliers, which hovered high above them. Dozens of small round tables were scattered around, but they all faced the podium on which the speaker had stood. But now a violinist, a harpist, a pianist, and a cellist had replaced him.
There music seemed to resonate throughout the ballroom. Several couples, moving to the rhythm of the music, took the dance floor.
Cameron hummed along, while House played his PSP below the table. Cameron rolled her eyes, but was startled when she felt someone before her.
"Excuse me." She looked up to find a pair of dark brown eyes gazing into her own. He was a man around his early or mid thirties. He was definitely muscular, and was quite handsome in his suit. His dark brown hair was combed and a slight smile played on his lips.
It took Cameron a moment to realize he was speaking to her. "Oh, yes?" she answered.
"I was wondering, would you like dance?" He gave a quick glance at House, who's eyes were no longer locked upon that of his videogame.
"Uh…" Cameron herself gave her boss a look. House locked onto her gaze, and she thought she saw something flicker in his eyes, but the next moment his eyes were back to his game. Cameron felt a slight stab, but rose.
"I'd love to."
So she was led out onto the dance floor. The stranger wound one hand around her waist, and the other took her hand. Cameron took a moment to think before placing her other free hand on his shoulder. They danced to the slow tempo.
"I don't think I caught your name," Cameron said after a few seconds.
"Oh. Special Agent Seeley Booth." His eyes twinkled. "FBI. And who might you be?"
"Dr. Allison Cameron." She smiled for a moment. "I work at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital."
Booth nodded approvingly. "Wow. A doctor." He peered over at House, who glanced at them every few seconds. "Is that your father…"
Cameron felt an icy chill rise within her. "No. He's actually my boss." She noted his shocked looked and laughed lightly. "It's okay. Common misconception. Yesterday someone thought I was his wife.
Booth chuckled. "I was about to ask that instead. Wouldn't surprise me if you were married. Who wouldn't want to marry you?"
Cameron felt herself blush. "Thanks," she said simply. As the song ended, he pulled away. "Are you thirsty? I'm about to get some champagne." Cameron nodded, and her smiled. "Wait right here."
Cameron stood there, waiting. And then she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning, she found herself facing a recognizable face. "Oh!" she said, stunned then smiling. "You look great in that dress."
It was the woman from Jessica McClintock. She had, in fact, bought the dress they had traded off. Hers was quite stunning as well. Strapless and ivory in color, black flowers and lace crawled up and down. The bouffant skirt was sprinkled with black beads. Her hair was also loose, but with an ornate clip holding it up in a princess style. She also wore black high heels.
She smiled, though tightly. "Thanks. Yours looks just as good." Beside the woman came another dressed in a strapless red ball gown as well. The bodice was decorate with shimmering red beads, while her reddish brown hair was done in a fabulous up do. Cameron guessed that this new woman was perhaps a mix of Chinese and American.
"Sweetie, is this the gal who gave you the dress?" The other woman nodded.
"So… We never introduced ourselves. I'm Dr. Allison Cameron." Cameron was struggling around her older piers, trying to make small talk.
The red dressed woman swooped down to help. "Nice to meet you, Aly. I'm Angela Montenegro. This," She elbowed her friend slightly. "Is Dr. Temperance Brennan."
Something in Cameron's mind clicked. "Wait, Dr. Brennan? I knew I recognized you. I've read your books. They're fabulous." Cameron felt slightly idiotic. "It's an honor to meet you."
Brennan blinked, then nodded. "Oh. Thanks."
At that exact moment, Booth arrived, precariously carrying four glasses of champagne. "I spotted you with…" He stopped dead in his tracks, catching Tempe's eyes. "Bones!" he said, feeling idiotic. "You look… fabulous."
"Likewise, Booth. And don't call me Bones."
Cameron felt the thick tension, and shifted uncomfortably. "I'll just…" She began to move away, but felt Angela stop her.
"On no, you don't. Don't mind Bren. She's not used to leaving the Jeffersonian."
"Ange!" Tempe snapped, glaring at her friend.
"I didn't mean to interfere between you two," Cameron said suddenly, gazing from Bones to Booth. "I just… He just…" she stuttered, exasperated.
But Tempe's eyes softened slightly, loosing their cold tone. She understood. "You said you're a doctor? Where exactly do you work?"
"Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital," Cameron answered, pleased that the tension was gone.
Bones opened her mouth to speak, but was stopped by an angry male, yelling at a younger boy.
"Angela!" The man with curly brown hair snapped, glaring at the young boy. "Could you please tell Zack that telling a girl that her dress does make her look fat doesn't help at all?"
Zack gazed at Angela sheepishly, who was howling with laughter. "I was taught you weren't supposed to lie."
"Hodgins, leave Zack alone," Booth snapped.
"Why…" But Hodgins paused as he saw Cameron. "Oh… Hello, there." He pulled on his suave voice. "I'm Jack Hodgins, but who might you be?"
"Back off, tiger," Angela told Jack, pulling him away. "This is Allison Cameron. She works at PPTH."
"Oh… Princeton. Nice." Hodgins grinned brightly.
So the group spoke, laughing, chatting, but Cameron felt a set of eyes upon her. The electric blue eyes she knew so well. The eyes that churned her stomach.
House gazed at the four new people whom which Cameron spoke with. She didn't even bother to check how he was doing. 'But what do I care?' he thought, trying and failing to return to his game. 'She's not mine. She can mingle. And dance. And allow other guys to put there hands on her… Okay. Maybe not that. Hm… It was better when I lied and said she was married to me. No one would have touched her…' He was pulled away from his thoughts by Cameron walking swiftly towards the table.
"What is it, Cameron? Want to go back to the room so quickly? It's only nine thirty." He winked. "Planning something special?"
Cameron rolled her eyes. "No, House. But you won't believe who I met. Dr. Temperance Brennan. The writer. She's really interesting. And she's invited us to visit the Jeffersonian. Right now!" Cameron was bursting with happiness, but she caught the look on House's face. "What?"
"Now?" he growled, glaring at her. "Cameron, it's Christmas Eve."
"So? You're atheist. And so am I."
He blinked, shocked that she recalled this fact. No one usually did. Shaking his head, he muttered, "How far is it?"
"A few miles. They offered to give us a ride."
House considered, thinking it would be fabulous to break the joyful expression on her face. But a part of him didn't want to see her miserable. Not on Christmas Eve.
"Fine."
Cameron grinned as he rose. "Thanks, House."
"Whatever."